Aratiatia Hydro Station

ARATIATIA HYDRO STATION

Opened: 1964
Number of generating units: 3 Francis turbines
Total capacity: 78MW
Average Annual Output: 335GWh

13km downstream from Taupō, Aratiatia is the smallest hydro reservoir in the Waikato Hydro System.

The Aratiatia dam was built at the top of a gorge (rather than the usual location at the bottom) to preserve the significant Taupō tourist attraction of the rapids that flowed through the gorge.

diagram of Aratiatia dam and hydro station

image of water flowing through Aratiatia rapids with spillway in background

We spill through the rapids 3 (winter) and 4 (summer) times a day to flood the rapids.

Aratiatia Rapids

Water releases from the dam are scheduled daily transforming a dry gorge into a raging torrent.
Generally, these times are:

Summer (Oct to March) release hours – 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm
Winter (Apr to Sep) release hours – 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm

For more information head to aratiatiarapids.co.nz